Your home uses a lot of energy and that can add significant cost to your living expenses. Check out these home energy saving tips to save money.
- Keep your thermostat setting under control. Adjust your thermostat to the proper settings throughout the day to reduce system operation, especially when you are not at home.
- Cover the windows. Keep your window coverings closed on the south, east, and west windows during the hot months to help maintain a comfortable climate inside.
- Switch from Incandescent to Compact Fluorescent (CFL) or LED Bulbs.They last considerably longer than longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs and only require a fraction of the energy.
- Use appliances efficiently. Wash only full loads when using your dishwasher or laundry. Use the cold water setting on your washing machine when you can. You can conserve up to 75% of the energy required to run the washer by using cold water. Also, be sure to clean your clothes dryer’s lint trap after each use and use the moisture-sensing automatic drying setting if you have them.
- Save the dryer. Use a stand-alone clothes rack or line to dry your clothes. If you must use your dryer, try to dry two loads consecutively to make the most of the heat you generated in the first load.
- Install Low-flow water fixtures. Save energy while saving water. A low-flow showerhead can reduce your water usage by two thirds.
- Install a heat recovery unit. Did you know that you can have free hot water for about 3 months out of the year? That’s right! Ask about the Zero Energy Heat Recovery System.
- Apply a radiant heat barrier. You can reflect 88-90% of transferred heat in your attic by installing Heat Bloc Ultra. Call and ask for details today.
- Take Showers. Start taking showers instead of baths. Baths consume two and a half times more hot water than a shower.
- Set your ceiling fans to reverse rotation. Something as simple as setting your ceiling fan in reverse will circulate the warm air, pulling it away from the ceiling and cooling off the room. Ceiling fans use about the same electricity as a 100-watt light bulb and costs just pennies a day to run.
- Use the microwave. Use the microwave instead of the oven whenever possible. The microwave uses one third the amount of energy as a regular oven and doesn’t heat up your kitchen.
- Be smart with home electronics. Turn off your computer and any other home office equipment when you’re not using them. Also switch to an LCD/flat panel monitor and you’ll use a third of the power required for conventional CRT monitors.
- Install a programmable thermostat. When it comes to saving money on home heating and cooling costs, sometimes size does matter. A programmable thermostat could be the key to saving 22% or more on your monthly bill.